Team gets lesson in service

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — With the Nets holding training camp at the United States Naval Academy, a visitor stopped by practice — Vice Adm. Walter E. Carter Jr., superintendent of the academy.

Carter joined the Nets at practice to talk about the academy, and in turn coach Kenny Atkinson presented him with a custom Nets jersey with No. 81 on it. Carter Jr. graduated from the Naval Academy in 1981.

“The admiral of the Naval Academy, that’s pretty big time,’’ Atkinson said. “It was great for our guys to listen to him. The guy’s had more than 2,000 aircraft landings — I think he has the record for the history of the military. That’s pretty impressive.

“Talking about all the things the Naval Academy is about, the moral fiber, sacrificing for each other. It’s very similar to what we’re trying to preach here in our team mentality. That was really special. And the athletic director also came, said hello. That means something.”

Carter safely accompanied pilots in 2,016 carrier-arrested landings, which is the mark among all U.S. Naval Aviation designators, active or retired. Thursday the Nets are expected to watch formation at the academy.

“We have a saying, there’s no tenure in naval aviation,” Carter said. “No matter how senior you are that deck can reach up and kill you. So you’re only as good as your last pass, I imagine the same is true for you here. You have to be at your very best every day.” ➤ Sweet-shooting swingman

Allen Crabbe has a sprained left ankle after rolling it late in practice. The 25-year-old underwent X-rays, which were negative. There was no grade of severity given nor was there a timetable for his return.

Crabbe had foot surgery in May to repair a stress reaction of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot.

The Nets actually signed Crabbe to a four-year, $75 million offer sheet in the summer of 2016 that Portland matched. Brooklyn traded for him this summer, taking on the last three years of that deal.